Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887: Volume 1, Number 11

In Short

This journal functions as a compendium of late-Victorian curiosity, acting as a bridge between established science and the emerging movements of phrenology, psychometry, and mental healing. It chronicles the struggles of "neglected pioneers"—innovators whose ideas were initially mocked or suppressed—while simultaneously reporting on modern inventions like the phonograph and autotelegraphy. By documenting both the progress of industry and the persistent, often controversial pursuit of psychic research, the text preserves the earnest, restless, and occasionally idiosyncratic spirit of a society attempting to reconcile its religious heritage with a rapidly modernizing world.

The Story

The narrative arc of the journal is one of vindication for the visionary at the expense of the reactionary. It opens with the overdue recognition of Leif Ericson, using his story as a launchpad for a broader argument: that truth, while often stifled by institutional dogma, eventually triumphs. The journal catalogs a long history of scientific martyrs, from Galileo and Copernicus to Dr. Young and the surgeon John Hunter, all of whom were disparaged by their contemporaries for ideas that later generations would adopt as foundational. The text portrays this cycle of rejection and eventual acceptance as the natural, if painful, rhythm of human progress.

As the journal shifts from historical retrospection to contemporary analysis, it turns its focus to the "neglected leaders" of the present. It highlights the life of Froebel, the creator of the kindergarten, whose educational ideals were crippled by the Prussian government’s fear of "education for freedom." This theme of conflict—the individual’s pursuit of enlightened discovery against the heavy hand of state or religious authority—permeates the entire volume. The text argues that the "ferment of fear" that dictated policy in the mid-nineteenth century remains an obstacle to the adoption of revolutionary ideas, whether those ideas concern child education or the laws of anthropology.

The argument matures into a deep dive into the anatomy of human character. It proposes a structural map of the brain—organology—where specific virtues and vices are physically located within the cranium. The author argues that this system provides a scientific basis for morality, suggesting that a balanced brain leads to a life of duty, while an unbalanced one invites decay. The text frames this not as mere theory, but as an empirical science that offers a path to human improvement.

Finally, the journal grapples with the "transcendental hash" of the era, where Buddhism, Theosophy, and Spiritualism converge to challenge the established Church. It concludes by positioning these movements as the next logical step in human evolution. The journal views the modern world as a place where the barrier between the physical and the psychic is thinning. It posits that the true pioneer is one who can look past the "vaporous ideality" of old superstitions to master the subtle forces of nature. The volume ends not with a resolution, but with an invitation: to continue the research, to support the publication, and to participate in the ongoing, urgent work of unlocking the potential of the human mind.

How It Unfolds

The struggle for recognition The volume begins by contrasting the historical erasure of early explorers with the eventual, triumphant erection of statues in their honor. This sets a precedent for the journal’s recurring theme: that the passage of time is the ultimate arbiter of scientific and historical validity.

The anatomy of genius The text transitions into a detailed, systematic exposition of organology, providing a physical map of the brain where moral character is assigned to specific cerebral regions. It asserts that this method allows for an objective, scientific understanding of why some individuals excel in virtue while others succumb to base impulses.

The conflict of innovation The focus shifts to the personal costs of discovery, detailing how inventors and reformers like Froebel were broken by institutional resistance. It argues that this hostility is an inevitable response from those who fear the dismantling of their own established power.

The modern intersection The journal explores the blending of Eastern philosophy, mental science, and spiritualism, framing these as a unified front against traditional priestcraft. It characterizes this modern spiritual awakening as a necessary, rational evolution of the human psyche.

The call to participate The final beats emphasize the practical application of these ideas, from paying for psychometric readings to debating the merits of new telegraphic technologies. It cements the journal’s role as both a classroom for the initiate and a marketplace for the seeker of new, enlightened truths.

The People

The figures inhabiting these pages are almost exclusively "pioneers"—men and women who define themselves by their opposition to the status quo. Foremost among them is the editor, who positions himself as a tireless advocate for truth, willing to toil without reward to bring "neglected" discoveries to light. He is joined in the narrative by the spectral presence of figures like Leif Ericson, Copernicus, and John Hunter, who serve as archetypes of the persecuted visionary. Their lives are defined by the tension between their private genius and the public’s "passive resistance" to their findings.

Froebel stands out as a tragic figure, a man whose desire to educate children through play is destroyed by a state that views his methods as a political threat. He serves as a cautionary tale of how the best human intentions are often thwarted by political fear. Conversely, inventors like Elisha Gray and I. Allegretti represent the more pragmatic side of the era’s innovation, focusing on the mastery of physical reality—whether through telegraphy or fruit preservation—to improve the quality of human life. Finally, the "pupils" of the editor’s phrenological classes represent the future, tasked with learning the "laws of location" to ensure that the work of the pioneers survives the skepticism of the age.

In Its Own Voice

"The triumph of truth follows battles in which there are many defeats that seem almost fatal."

The author uses this reflection to summarize the historical cycle of persecution faced by scientific innovators.

"The posterior half would make blind, unceasing, irrepressible action--the anterior half would produce a state of relaxed and feeble tranquillity and sensibility--the condition of a helpless victim."

This passage explains the author’s phrenological theory regarding the necessity of a balanced brain for a stable human life.

"If 300 years after my death, my method of education shall be completely established according to its idea, I shall rejoice in heaven."

These words of Froebel capture the profound sense of long-term mission and sacrifice inherent in the lives of the pioneers described in the text.

What It's Really About

At its core, this work is an argument for the supremacy of empirical observation over institutional authority. It asks a fundamental, recurring question: how much of human history has been lost or delayed because the majority was too frightened to accept the radical findings of the few? The text attempts to construct a "scientific" morality, suggesting that if we can map the brain and understand the laws of the mind, we can effectively engineer a better society. It seeks to reconcile the rapid, material progress of the nineteenth century—the steam engine and the telegraph—with a spiritual and psychic understanding of the human soul, arguing that both are essential for the next stage of human development.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in the history of science, the roots of modern "self-help" culture, or the Victorian obsession with the occult will find this volume deeply engaging. It serves as a fascinating time capsule of a moment when the boundaries between physics, psychology, and faith were porous and under constant, aggressive renegotiation. You will encounter a prose style that is confident, sometimes combative, and remarkably earnest in its belief that the reader is on the verge of a great, world-altering discovery.

However, the reader must be prepared for the difficulties of its era. The text reflects the period's rigid, often Eurocentric attitudes and its uncritical reliance on phrenology, which modern science has long since discarded. The writing can be dense with the specialized jargon of mid-century anthropology, and the author’s tone often leans into the exclusionary language of a "pioneer" elite. Yet, for those who can navigate these dated frameworks, the journal offers a poignant, startlingly modern look at the human impulse to find order in chaos. What stays with you is the sheer, defiant optimism of the editor, who firmly believed that despite all evidence of human cruelty and ignorance, the truth was steadily, inevitably rising.